Fuel Scarcity Paralysis Activities in Oyo

May 1, 2015

There was low turn out of people in major markets and busy business areas following the scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), known as petrol in most filling stations in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.

The fuel scarcity that started few days ago has led to low turnout of buying and selling major markets and areas such as, Gate, Iwo-Road, Mokola, Challenge, Sango, Apata, Ogunpa, Gbagi, Dugbe and other notable areas within the Ibadan metropolis.

Our correspondent who went around the city on Friday observed long queues in some filling stations which has caused traffic in major roads in Ibadan metropolis as result of the fuel scarcity.

Many motorists packed their vehicles at home to trek a long distance in ensuring they get to their place of work while some boarded vehicle in exuberant prices.

Some motorists who spoke with our correspondent revealed that most of the filling stations are selling petroleum price between N120 and N150 per litre while some sell it at 170 per litre.

Those who could not experience the hardship at filling stations had to go through retailers know as black marketers to get the product between N200 and N250 per litter.

The shortage of fuel and long queues at these stations and the increment of the price has caused sudden increment of fare.

A distance within the city which costs about N30 now goes for N60 and above.

A furniture maker who relied on one of his friends to get some quantity of petrol lamented the hardship of the people of the state as he called on stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the perennial scarcity.

A Motorist, Mr. Akande Olaosebikan while revealing his ordeal noted that he bought a five litre of petroleum at 1,2000 so as to take his family home from his Ogunpa shop.

Olaosebikan called on the Federal Government to address the issue with a matter of urgency. “I am appealing to federal government to address this issue with a matter of urgency so as reduce the stress we masses are going through,” he noted.

Our correspondent reports that motorists that ply areas like Iwo Road to Ojoo that charges N50 now charge N100 or more.

One of the transporters, Mr. Remi Kasali in his own revelation revealed that he spent two hours at the petrol station he got the product on Wednesday saying he was surprised to buy fuel at the rate of N120 at a petrol station he bought fuel the previous day.

Our correspondent gathered that most of the petrol stations have been selling the product for some months between N95 and N100 though they display the normal N87 per litter. It was gathered that the proposed strike by the oil marketers triggered the hoarding of the product which has caused many commuters to be stranded.